MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK
Trip Facts
Duration
12 N- 13 D
Trip Grade
Moderate to Adventurous
Country
Nepal
Maximum Altitude
On top Larke-La Pass 5,106 m /16,752 feet high
Best Time
spring, autumn/fall
Overview
Manaslu Circuit Trek with the guidance of Dhan Kumar Rai.
An expert and veteran guide of the Nepalese company Kirat Society Adventure and Hiking.
Manaslu Circuit Trek takes high above towards the arctic barren landscapes above the tree lines. The walk starts from the low land of lush green valleys of Gorkha district around rich farm terraces. Following the Budhi Gandaki River right up to its source around the highland of Manaslu Valley. An adventure where trekkers can experience all types of landscapes, varied climates, as well as vegetation and local immense cultures. The lowland of Gorkha district is heavily farmed areas with paddy terraces with warm subtropical climate.
Adventure continues climbing and following Budhi Gandaki River upstream, towards cooler alpine hills through lovely traditional farm villages.
An amazing contrast in landscapes as the trek progresses higher towards the restricted high country of Manaslu Valley.
The Upper Manaslu from Jagat Village at one time was a forbidden territory.
From 1991 onwards it was opened for the outside world, but remains as a restricted area. Where all foreign trekkers require a special permit including MCA and ACAP (Manaslu and Annapurna Areas Conservation) fees.
After days of interesting walks and climbing, towards an open and exposed Manang Valley. Enjoy the pleasant scenic walks around the high Manaslu Valley enclosed by a series of Manaslu ranges of peaks. The view of Mount Manaslu gets closer as the walk continues from the lovely Lo village to Sama-Gaon.
Slowly the adventure leads to a nice traditional village at Sama Gaon.
Located en route Manaslu Base Camp. As well as to high Larke-La Pass and towards the Nepal, Tibet-China frontiers.
Mt. Manaslu the world’s 8th highest peaks first summited on 9th May 1956 by the Japanese Expedition. Guided and supported by Nepali Sherpa Guide Gyalzen Sherpa, from then on it remained a forbidden country until 1991.
Sama Gaon is the main village of Upper Manaslu, and gateway to various destinations. The Upper Manaslu and Sama Gaon in early days were an important place for the Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route. The trade still continues between Tibet and locals of higher Manaslu natives.
At Sama Gaon with a rest day for acclimatization before heading towards the base of Larke-La Pass at Dharmasala.
One of the most exciting days of the adventure takes you on top of Larke-La Pass.
The highest spot of the journey, the ridge top is adorned with thousands of colorful Buddhist prayer flags. Enjoy the blissful moment encircled by the majestic Himalayan Mountain range with Manaslu, Annapurna, and Himlung as far towards Ganesh Himal.
After a great glorious morning amidst picturesque scenery, a slow and long descent brings you to Bhimthang. Located within Manang district beneath the high Larke-La Pass. From Bhimthang or Bhim Phedi slowly the trek leads to Dharapani Village for the last overnight of the adventure.
The next morning an interesting drive brings you back to Kathmandu, after a great wonderful experience on Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Itinerary
Day1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to a hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal Intenational Airport, after visa formalities, and claiming the baggage. Outside the exit terminal our staff and guide receives you for a short transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed at the hotel, then join with other members of Manaslu Circuit Trek for a briefing.
Briefing is done by our guide, group leader with full information of the treks, including hotels in Kathmandu. Local cultures with do’s and don’ts.
In the evening a lovely dinner and introduction to Nepali foods and culture.
Day2: Tour of Kathmandu heritage sites of great interest.
Moning after breakfast, our city guide takes you on a tour around thenworld heritage sites within Kathmandu city. After an exciting and interesting tour back to the hotel, preparation and packing for trekking.
Non-essential clothing and items not required for treks, can be stored in the Hotel or with Kirat Society Adventure.
Day3: Drive to Machha Khola 900 m / 2,952 feet approx. 07 hours. (160 km)
Day4: Trek to Jagat 1,340 m via Dovan 1,070 m-07 hours.
First day trek starts from Machha-Khola, the walk follows on a gradual winding path. The trail heads through farm areas and hamlets within a forest of pines and Sal trees. Then reaching Tatopani, a place with natural hot-springs, time permitting, enjoy the refreshing bath. The walk continues to Khola Besi for a possible lunch stop, aftenoon climb leads to a cooler hill towards Jagat.
A lovely hill village with nice lodges for ovenight stay. Jagat is the starting and entry point of the Restricted Area towards Upper Manaslu. After checking into a nice room, having time to explore around Jagat to observe the hill people andnits culture.
Day5: Trek to Deng 1,860 m via Philim village-06 hours.
After a long first day walk and climb to Jagat, today an average hour of treks.
The hike leads downs and ups to cross a few bridges over tributary streams of Budhi-Gandaki River. The climb leads to Salleri, a small village to descend and heads towards Sirdibas. The trail leads across a small bridge above Gatte Khola / stream with a climb to Philim, a large farm village. Populated by the Gurung hill tribes at Philim village for possible lunch stop. Aftenoon walk on a gradual winding trail to a small settlement of Ekle Bhatti. From here a short descent to cross a stream, then towards our ovenight stop at Dyang/Deng, a nice farm village. After checking in a nice simple lodge, explore the local culture, from Deng onwards within Tibetan Buddhism religion.
Day6: Trek to Namrung 2, 660 m-06 hours.
Moning after breakfast, cross over Budhi Gandaki River and climb to a small settlement at Bhi. From here walk enters a lovely cool forest to reach Prok another nice small village. The walk continues coming across Buddhist monuments all the way to Namrung for ovenight stop. A nice village with grand views of Mt. Manaslu North Face.
Day7: Trek to Lo-Gaon 3, 180 m-05 hours.
From Namrung, the jouney heads higher towards Upper areas of Manaslu tonLo-Gaon. Moning walks starts with views of Sringi and Ganesh Himal includes Himal Chuli in the south. The walk follows with a climb into a dense forest to Lihi, lined with a number of Buddhist stupas. Enjoy the fabulous scenery of terraces filled with barley and buckwheat, as the walk follows down across the valley.
The walk leads to Sho, and finally the day completes reaching at Lo-Gaon for an ovenight stop. Situated on beautiful locations covered in lovely pines and rhododendron forest. Beneath the towering Mt. Manaslu, ovenight stop atnLo-Gaon in the comfort of a nice lodge. Enjoy time to explore the village and Ribung monastery.
Day8: Trek to Sama-Gaon 3, 500 m /11, 480 feet-06 hours.
Moning enjoy the magnificent views of the snow clad peaks with majesticnNorth Face of Mt. Manaslu. From Lo Gaon, the walk enters the wide valley of Manaslu, following a moderate route to Sama-Gaon. The trail leads to a short climb and then downhill to Shayla. A nice village with superb views of the snow peaks. Enjoying the lovely scenery of beautiful landscapes and peaks, the walk slowly ends on reaching Sama-Gaon. A great place for views of Manaslu, Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli). Ovenights in a nice cozy lodge, enjoy the rest of the aftenoon overlooking the majestic mountain views.
Day9: At Sama-Gaon rest day for acclimatization and excursion.
Enjoy the free day at Sama Gaon. A perfect and good height for acclimatization option for hike to scenic viewpoint. Walk further high to Birendra Lake en route to Manaslu Base Camp and visit an old Pungyen Gompa. One can relax enjoying the grand views of the snow dusted mountains.
Day10: Trek to Samdo 3,875 m -05 hours.
After a pleasant rest at Sama Gaon, moning walk leads to Samdo, the last village around Manaslu and Gorkha district. Falls en route to Nepal and Tibet borders and towards Larke-La Pass. The walk follows on dry and arid terrain with short steep climbs to reach a wide field. Reaching at Samdo for an ovenight, one of the largest settlements around Manaslu Valley. A nice village with a good lodge with grand views of the snow mountain ranges.
Day11: Trek to Dharmasala 4, 450 m /14, 596 feet-04 hours.
The moning walk leads at the end of Manaslu Valley rim, a short day for lunch and ovenight stop. From Samdo downhill to a river bed, and cross over a wooden bridge. From the bridge a short climb and across several streams to Dharmasala, after crossing Salka Khola / stream. At Dharmasala or Larke Phedi, stands at the bottom of Larke-La pass. Check into a lodge for lunch and last ovenight around Manaslu and Gorkha district. Enjoy the views of surrounding peaks with Larke Peak glacier. Rest of the aftenoon at leisure, save energy for the next day's long climb and walks to Bhimthang or Bhimphedi.
Day12: Trek to Bhimphedi 3, 590 m via Larke-La Pass 5,106 m -08 hours.
An early moning start for the big day of the adventure, having good breakfast and carrying packed lunch. Starting the moning heading north-west with a steep climb and views of Cheo-Danda and Larke Peak. After hours of tough steep haul, reaching the top of Larke-La Pass. The highest point of the adventure offers a spectacular panorama of towering peaks. Enjoy the stunning views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and Annapuna II-III and A-IV. Includes Ganesh Himal with a series of Manaslu mountain ranges with peaks of Nar Phu areas.
After an exciting moning, walk downhill towards Cheo Danda and Larcia.
Then descent at the base of Larke Pass, around the west side of Manang district. From the Phedi or bottom of the pass, leads you back into dense forest to Bhimphedi, also called Bhimthang.nn nnA wonderful spot on a wide grassy field, amidst tall tree lines of oaks, pines, firs and rhododendrons. Enjoy the comfort in a nice lodge accommodation, after a long and toughest walk of the adventure.
Day13: Trek to Gho 2,535 m- 04 hrs.
A leisurely moning for breakfast, due to the hard long walk of the previous day.
From Bhimphedi, a pleasant and short walk to Gho the trail follows through dense woods downhill. After a few hours of pleasant moning hike reaching Gho for ovenight halt. Located within a beautiful forest in a serene environment, aftenoon at leisure.
Day14: Trek to Dharapani village 1,820 m -05 hrs.
Enjoy the last final walk of the adventure to Dharapani village, the trail follows downhill through forest. Then reaching the lovely village at Tilje, located above Masrsyangdi River and close to Dharapani village.
Possible lunch stops at Tilje, from here a short climb to cross a bridge above Masrsyangdi River to Dharapani village. Enjoy the last ovenight in a mountain village, situated on the motorable road. Located at the junction of Annapuna and Manaslu Circuit trekking routes.
Day15: Drive to Kathmandu and transfer to a hotel -08 hours.
Day16: Free day in Kathmandu for leisure activities.
Enjoy the free leisure day for individual activities or with a shopping spree for souvenirs’ of Nepal. Interested people can request for another exciting tour of Patan and Bhaktapur cities, well worth a visit.
Day17: International departure for homeward bound.
Final day in Kathmandu and Nepal, as time for your intenational flight for homeward bound or next port of call. Transfer to Kathmandu, Nepal intenational airport bidding farewell to the guide and staff, after a marvelous and enjoyable adventure on Manaslu Circuit trek.
